Under Gist, Tulsa Public Schools says it has seen important steps forward, including a five-percentage-point increase in the graduation rate between 2015 and 2016 and a 26 percent decrease in out of school suspensions in the 2016-2017 school year.

Based on NWEA MAP scores, the school says it has seen a four-percentage-point increase in students reaching reading proficiency by third grade and a three-percentage-point increase in students proficient in math and reading.

Gist’s contract is essentially the same as her initial 2015-2018 contract with two updates:

1) At the request of the superintendent, given our continued funding challenges, her June 2018 retention bonus will decrease by nine percent and her June 2021 retention bonus will decrease by 28 percent.

2) The superintendent's performance incentive, if earned, will take the form of a contribution to her retirement rather than as a cash bonus.

Gist says she is humbled by her contract renewal.

“Grateful and beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to lead the phenomenal team at Tulsa Public Schools for another three years. I was ecstatic to come home to Tulsa in 2015, and the joy that I experience each day as I follow my calling to serve Tulsa children and families has only grown,” she said.

“This has always been my dream job, and I feel blessed and incredibly fortunate to continue this journey to make Tulsa Public Schools the nation’s destination for excellence in teaching and learning.”

Bacone College announced today that it will not be closing after all. According to representatives, the school has experienced decreases in donations and enrollment over the past few years and are currently operating in a deficit for the current year. The school says they have taken positive steps to reduce their operation expenses, ultimately this reduction comes in the form of layoffs of several staff members. “The Board of Trustees expresses its appreciation for the efforts...More >>

Bacone College announced today that it will not be closing after all. According to representatives, the school has experienced decreases in donations and enrollment over the past few years and are currently operating in a deficit for the current year. The school says they have taken positive steps to reduce their operation expenses, ultimately this reduction comes in the form of layoffs of several staff members. “The Board of Trustees expresses its appreciation for the efforts...More >>

Multiple women are accusing Morgan Freeman of sexual harassment. Sixteen people spoke with CNN and said they either witnessed or were directly subjected to inappropriate comments, staring or touching by the actor.

Multiple women are accusing Morgan Freeman of sexual harassment. Sixteen people spoke with CNN and said they either witnessed or were directly subjected to inappropriate comments, staring or touching by the actor.